National
Institute for
Complex Data Structures

ABOUT
THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE
FOR COMPLEX DATA STRUCTURES

The
NICDS was established as an initiative of Canada's statistical sciences
community in response to a pressing need to involve statisticians in collaborations
with researchers in subject matter disciplines. Its mandate is to enrich
and enlarge the national research enterprise through a powerful new model
for the statistical sciences necessary to advance research frontiers in
other disciplines. This model has three striking, unique features:

The
creation of interdisciplinary research teams with quantitative leadership.
The NICDS is unique in Canada in ensuring a critical mass of statistical
expertise is brought to bear on research frontiers central to Canada's
mandate in scientific discovery. It is the only avenue that actively
seeks to bring together expertise in the statistical sciences in partnership
with scientists in industry, government agencies and research institutes
both here and abroad.

The
creation of hybrid quantitative researchers. Novel environments
are created that expose the next generation of quantitative researchers
to intensely interdisciplinary training ensuring they will become
well versed in the language of multiple disciplines and well-trained
to hold leadership positions in scientific collaborations in the longer
term.

Empowering
leadership in the statistical sciences research community. By
proactively identifying collaborative opportunities, the NICDS gives
a strong voice to the statistical sciences and raises their national
profile. It has proved to be a mechanism in the statistical sciences
that can align activities, create synergies and set priorities that
advance research frontiers in other disciplines.

In
the context of this model, and supported by a proactive management
team, the NICDS seeds and builds research projects that are national
in scope; involve numerous disciplines, partnering institutions, and
scientific and networking activities.

The
NICDS is managed by a Scientific Director, who is responsible for the
overall leadership of the Institute, a Board of Directors and a Scientific
Advisory Committee.